SPRINGFIELD — As soon as the clock hit 0:0, the Bishop Stang boys’ basketball team erupted in celebration with its 80-64 Division 3 state title victory over Oxford at the MassMutual Center on Saturday.

“I told my team before the game I didn’t want to win because we were better than them,’’ Bishop Stang sophomore Brycen Goodine said. “I wanted a game where we actually outworked them as a team.’’

The Spartans were able to accomplish this. After beginning the game with a bang — an alley-oop from freshman Damien Perry to Goodine — Bishop Stang fell behind, 9-2.

Oxford used the size of senior Shaun McCarthy down low and connected on its first four shots. In the second quarter, Bishop Stang came out firing, outscoring Oxford, 23-11.

“I think we mainly decided to play defense,’’ Bishop Stang coach Colbey Santos said. “Once we calmed down and settled into [the game], we ended up being OK.’’

Bishop Stang (23-3) continued to hold off Oxford and held a double-digit lead entering the final frame.

Oxford (22-3) stayed persistent, though, forcing the ball down low to McCarthy, who finished with a game-high 36 points.

Santos put 6-foot junior Nick Landry on the 6-4 senior and it proved to be beneficial.

“Landry is probably the toughest kid we have in the school,’’ said Santos. “I knew he would get the job done.’’

The score got as close as 10 in the early stages of the fourth quarter, but Bishop Stang’s shooting and athleticism proved too much for Oxford.

Goodine had a team-high 27 points and was the spark on offense Bishop Stang needed early in the game.

“They look up to me as an older brother,’’ Goodine said. “Sometimes it feels like there is a lot of pressure on me, but I never really show it because I know they are always looking up at me.’’

Not only was this Bishop Stang’s first boys’ basketball state title, it was the first state title in school history.

“I am very impressed and proud of these guys,’’ Santos said. “[This team] is like a family.’’